Crystal River current., 1887-06-11


1 minded the dfiiculty?" he retorted
passionately. Don't you know I'd
have risked my life for the sake OF
rescuing this!' He laid the locket on
the table; but as he spoke. he opened
his clenched hand. and the soft curl
glistened brigh tly in the freight.
Madge started violently. You
opened it?'
No; il had opened itself by falling
on the floor" He leaned forward anu
looked at her curiously.
.And you cared to keep it. Madge?"
did I-care?'
Only three words. but the tone went
straight to the husbands heart. SO
she had cared after ali, and YET
'.You went out again so soon.' he s;lid
doubtfully.
.'And could / help that9" The girl
clasped her hands. and looked steadily
at him with great sorrowful eyes.
you were always with your books:
and could | bear to live alone in these
rooms where every chair that her hands
had touched, every picture that her
eyes had seen. spoke to me of my lost
darling? No; would go to dances,
thcatcrs, anywhere where she had new
er been, and therefore could not haunt
me"
You might have come to me-"
$40 you9" The dreary little laugh
which she echoed his words were not
good to hear. You had your work.
You had never asked me to go to the
library; YOU had always left me alone"
Challoner's face had grown very
white. '.Madge." b, said solemnly,
God is my witness that if ! have
wronged you, it was through mistaken
love, and not througI, carelessness.
When we-marr.ed (the loving stress
he laid upon the word was not lost up
on the girl. although her face was
turned upon him), Sarah impressed up
on me that if | pursued IL plan had
already suggested TO her. and asked
you to ask us my secretary, | should be
dealing unfairly in letting you expend
your youth and spirits on me and my
work. instead of on the amusements
and society life which was natural to
your age.
His very anxiety was making him
speak in IL stiff. unusual fashion,; but
the little clasped hands moved restless
ly at his words. 81 should have loved
the work"
The murmur was too soft for the 9TH
er to catch. and he went on slowly:
Right or wrong, believed her. l
said to myself: ''You are Il poor man,
and must work hard; but however
great the strain NAV be. it must never
touch your wife. If you can not take
her out yourself. let your cousin do SO
in your stead. Let -"
Don't talk like that-don't talk like
that ~ Madge had risen to her feet.
and the words came with an irrepressi-
Bile sob. She waited full m mute and
then added: at makes one wish that
things had been ditferent-a almost.
When Challoner spoke again, it was
after II long pause, when did you
cut this curl?'
"On your birthday" said Madge with
an effort to speak easily. II brought
her into your room. and she was dress
ed all in white
II thought it was blue"
mo. John; all in white, with coral
beads
.'Ah! yes. to be sure. l remember.
The young rogue broke the string, and
you were so proud of her strength that
you would not have it ,Eenled;" and
Challoner actually laughed at the re-
mem brance OF the scene.
ou tooh ilet III your aTIuS. went
on Madge bravely, land kissed this
very curl, and then you gave her back
to me and said"
She broke OF suddenly; but though
Clalloner's face was flaming as holly
as her own. lie went on steadily: II
said, Col bless my wife and child, and
spare them to me for many. many
years.
Inf haI, IL lad i'm la
In the intense stiffness of the little
room, John Challoner finished her
sentence. '.And you are leaving me-"
he said hoarsely. "Ah. Madge, for ba-
by's sake, give me half that curl
Her gloves were Off and rs she SILENT
ly leaned forward to loosen the silk that
held the pretty hair. their hands touch
ed She drew back for moment, look
ing at him piteously. and the next. with
a long sobbing cry. she fell forward into
his out stretched arms.
1t was long trying night for many
people at that little snow bound station.
The men worked hard to clear the
lines; but it was only when the first
gray glimmer of light was stealing
over the darkened skies, that they
were able to pronounce progress posi-
BILE. The passengers in the waiting
room had kept up a perpetual chorus
of grumblings and abuse; but in the
little room where the station keeper
had placed his two most favored guests,
there was nothing but deep thankful
ness for the enforced wait. During
the long night hours, with only
tender memory to share their vigil,
husband and wife had grown very
close to each other. The long series
of jars and misunderstanding which
had grown up from their two several
Chal.oner's erroneous
belief that they could follow two dis
tinct and separate courses and yet re-
main united; and from Madge's half
half-defant pride. which
forbade her to take the initiative in
l.. Il.